James Earl Stanford

Raleigh - James Earl Stanford died on August 13, 2014. Known to some as a consummate salesman, to many a talented artist, to others a legendary storyteller, even to some Santa Claus, but to all he was known as a wonderful friend. He now joins his wife, Gwendolyn Blackham Stanford, his son, Thomas Earl Stanford, and his son-in-law, John Wells Dinley, Jr.Earl was the youngest of seven children born to William A. and Maggie Shelton Stanford on February 17, 1921 in the Dan River Community of Intelligence, N.C. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston Salem, N.C. in 1937.Some of Earls best stories are from the years he proudly served our country in the US Navy during WWII aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Ranger. He was able to exchange some of those tales with other veterans who were among the fortunate making the first flight on the Triangle Flight of Honor in October 2010.While he was working at Motor Bearings and Parts Company in Goldsboro, a blind date with Gwendolyn Rae Blackham in 1947ended pretty well with them getting married the next year. Their 56 year adventure took them to places near and far. From Crossnore, N.C. to Australia, they always had a grand time making new friends and exploring new places.Earls career spanned 30 years (1955-1985) with Raybestos-Manhattan Inc. He wasnt just a salesman, he was a friend to everyone he called on in the business. He modeled for all what a true salesman should be: Persistent, imaginative, visionary, sincere, poised, thoughtful and a man of integrity. Until just days before he died, he spoke on the phone with LeRoy Handsel and Lou Bauerle, colleagues of his from Raybestos.As proud as he was of his accomplishments while working, he always said that his greatest achievement was being father to Tom, Sharon and Priscilla. He taught all three to be honest, strong and to find the humor in life.He found a second home at Independence Village of Olde Raleigh, where he was an ambassador of goodwill, who had everyone joining in the fun he was always bound to find. About a year after Gwens death, Earl was lucky enough to find a special friend, Mable Lovin, to share his love of Southern food, a good joke and ACC sports. Mables children and their spouses remain family to us still.Left to carry on Earls storytelling are those who loved him dearly: Sharon S. Dinley, daughter, Priscilla S. Kistler, daughter and her husband Alan H. Peterson. His grandchildren, Evan Stanford Kistler (wife, Mary Ellen), Jeffrey Thomas Kistler, Mary Gwendolyn Kistler. Great granddaughter, Greta Lee, Evan and Mary Ellens daughter, as well as his many caring nieces and nephews and his Roylene Acres daughters, Martha Kaye and Beth Mayberry and Patti Hiscoe Battle. Sharon and Priscilla wish to give special thanks to Transitions LifeCare and the loving staff at Independence Village. There are not words enough to thank Dr. Jim Parsons for his medical care and the love and dedication he has given our family for more years than were sure he cares to remember.Should you choose to honor Earl, please make a donation to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or Penland School of Crafts (Attn: Jean McLaughlin), P.O. Box 37, Penland, NC 28765-0037, or have a plate of Eastern NC BBQ and remember him fondly.A service to celebrate Earls life is planned for Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC, 27604. The family will receive friends at the funeral home after the memorial service.